"That was oddly encouraging when the reason you called was to threaten me."
I laughed. "I can threaten you and still be your friend."
"So...how do you know that exactly? That someone out there is a better fit for me?"
"Because I'm in love, man!"
"I’m pretty sure you were single the last time I saw you. And since I’ve known you. So are you in love with yourself? Or..."
I laughed. "I met someone during James' bachelor party. Re-met someone. Finally met. It doesn't matter how you put it. She's my forever. I can tell."
"Isn't that a little fast?"
"You know me, I do everything fast. There's no other way to live. Plus, she is... everything." I felt bad as soon as I said it. Tyler had just confessed that he thought he just lost everything. "Anything I thought I felt for Penny wasn't real," I quickly added. "Not like this."
"That's great," he said. "I hope that's true for me too. But today it just feels like I loved and lost. And I'm in the middle of God knows where in Pennsylvania in a shitty diner where they don't know how to properly fry comfort food. Fuck my life," he said with a laugh.
"James was right. You are a good guy."
"James said that? About...me? Before or after he punched me in the face?"
"Before." I laughed. "He kinda forgot about it during that incident. In his defense though, he thought you’d run away with Penny. And also, he may have said you were a good guy when he'd had too much to drink."
"Huh. I always thought that James hated me. But in his defense, I probably would have punched me too."
I laughed. "I should stop hiding in the corner and get back to the party," I said as I saw Daphne walk into the apartment. She looked as beautiful as ever. I was one lucky man.
"Have fun."
"You too. Road trips are the freaking best. And California has way more beaches than New York. Think bikinis for miles. You'll be fine. And you'll find someone else."
"Enjoy the wedding."
I tried not to think about the fact that he didn't agree with me. If Daphne knew everyone here, I could have left her to fend for herself for a few minutes while I helped Tyler feel better. But she needed me. And I had a feeling Tyler would figure it out. I'd already given him the best advice I could. I found my person. He would too. "Thanks for not being an ass. And for making my best man duties super easy. Later."
"See you around, Rob."
I went over to save Daphne. At least she was talking to Penny and James now instead of standing alone.
Penny laughed. "Rob is certainly full of surprises. Always good though."
"Stop freaking Daphne out," I said. I grabbed her waist and pulled her in for a kiss. And she melted into me. It was a feeling I was becoming all too addicted to. God I adored her. "Hey," I whispered. "You look amazing."
Her face flushed.
"I see that you've met my super annoying soon-to-be little sister," I said.
"Annoying?" Penny's eyebrows raised. "Thanks, Rob."
"I'm just kidding. You know you're my favorite sister. And definitely sexier than Jen. You know...since Jen is actually my sister and that would be disgusting if I thought she was sexy. But it's still okay if I think you are." I winked at her. "Speaking of which, Daphne, you have to come meet my real sister, not the fake one."
Daphne laughed. "It was really great meeting you, Penny," she said.
"You too."
"And you have a lovely home." Before she could say anything else, I whisked her away.
"She's so nice," Daphne said. "I didn't feel unwelcomed at all."
I kissed the side of her forehead. "I told you that you were invited."
"I know. I'm sorry. I was just so nervous to meet everyone."
"You have absolutely nothing to be nervous about. Everyone's going to love you. Hell, Penny and James already do."
"Speaking of Penny and James...did you fix whatever you needed to for their wedding? It seemed urgent."
"Yeah. I thought Penny's ex might try to speak during the 'speak now or forever hold your peace' bit that you mentioned."
"Oh. Yikes. But you fixed it?"
"I didn't need to. He already left town. He bowed out more gracefully than I thought he would. I feel bad. I think he really loved her."
"I can't even imagine how that would feel." She looked up at me like she couldn't imagine ever losing me.
And she had nothing to worry about there. I wasn't going anywhere. I tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear.
"But maybe they weren't the perfect fit, you know?" she said. "He'll find his missing piece."
I pulled her into my side. I hoped Tyler would find his missing piece too. But it was hard not to smile when I’d already found mine.
* * *
Thank you for reading Third Chances! Will Tyler find his missing piece on his road trip? CLICK HERE to read all about it in Missing Pieces!
Hailey - He's still in love with his ex. And I refuse to be a consolation prize. So why did I just agree to a spur of the moment road trip with him? I just have to keep reminding myself that I'm doing this for me. It has nothing to do with the gorgeous man staring at me like I'm a crazy person.
Tyler - Why is she climbing into my car uninvited? I don't care how sweet her smile is. Or how long her legs are. This isn't some aimless summer road trip. But I can tell from the way she's looking at me that she knows the truth. I'm not driving toward something. I'm driving away from something. Someone.
*This is a standalone novel with a guaranteed Happily Ever After*
One-click MISSING PIECES now!
Blue Parrot Resort
Don't want to leave the Blue Parrot Resort just yet? You don't have to! People don’t just go to the resort for bachelor parties…it’s also known to be a great place for couples to rekindle their romance. CLICK HERE to get your free copy Blue Parrot Resort!
Not all the guests at the Blue Parrot Resort are celebrating bachelor party weekends. Some come for an experience of a lifetime or to find new love. Others? Rumor has it that this resort can save marriages.
I don't believe the rumors. Yes, my husband works late hours and has been acting awfully suspicious recently, but that doesn't mean we need to go to some resort. Surely couples therapy could be more helpful. I just have to find the courage to tell Scott that I want to work on our marriage.
But when my friend books the nonrefundable vacation for us without my permission, I decide it’s worth a try. A whole weekend at a sexy resort actually sounds pretty perfect. What’s the worst that could happen?
*Blue Parrot Resort is a super naughty short story with a guaranteed happily ever after. Don’t say I didn’t warn you about the naughty part…*
CLICK HERE to get your free copy!
A Note From Ivy
At a young age, I lost someone close to me just like Daphne. And that pain fades, but it doesn’t completely go away. It shaped me more than I even realized.